Impact of Nadal's Withdrawal

With Nadal's withdrawal from the U.S. Open, it will probably prevent him from achieving the following:

Tying Federer's record for most consective years ranked number 2 at the end of the year. Federer was ranked in the top 2 from 2003-2010. Nadal has been ranked in the top 2 from 2005-2011.

For the first time, if you compare Federer and Nadal's career evolution, Federer is ahead of Nadal in Grand Slams won. In the year that Federer turned 26 (2007), Federer had won 12 Grand Slams. In the year that Nadal turned 26 (2012), Nadal had won 11 Grand Slams.

With Nadal's withdrawal from the U.S. Open, it will probably prevent him from achieving the following:

Tying Federer's record for most consective years ranked number 2 at the end of the year. Federer was ranked in the top 2 from 2003-2010. Nadal has been ranked in the top 2 from 2005-2011.

For the first time, if you compare Federer and Nadal's career evolution, Federer is ahead of Nadal in Grand Slams won. In the year that Federer turned 26 (2007), Federer had won 12 Grand Slams. In the year that Nadal turned 26 (2012), Nadal had won 11 Grand Slams.

Click to expand...

I think at this point, Rafa' is probably not thinking about any of these things anymore. I think he's probably more concerned with just being able to play again at a high level. He really shouldn't be thinking about record-chasing now, and likely isn't. He's a pro' and thinks like a pro'...not like us fans.

With Nadal's withdrawal from the U.S. Open, it will probably prevent him from achieving the following:

Tying Federer's record for most consective years ranked number 2 at the end of the year. Federer was ranked in the top 2 from 2003-2010. Nadal has been ranked in the top 2 from 2005-2011.

For the first time, if you compare Federer and Nadal's career evolution, Federer is ahead of Nadal in Grand Slams won. In the year that Federer turned 26 (2007), Federer had won 12 Grand Slams. In the year that Nadal turned 26 (2012), Nadal had won 11 Grand Slams.

Click to expand...

I guess he was only in with a 50/50 shot of getting back in the top 2 anyway but this may cost him a place in the top 5, certainly th top 3. Not sure what the records are for that.

Nadal was also already behind Federer, Federer won his 11th slam at Wimbledon 2007 a few weeks short of his 26th birthday, Nadal won his 11th at the French Open 2012 just past 26.

Nadal though will slip further behind, although Federer had a year between his 12th slam and his 13th, so Nadal would have a chance to make up that ground, but it would be tough. Federer's 13th was won just after his 27th birthday, Wimbledon 2013 would be the closest point for nadal, so he'd need to win 2 of the first 3 slams of 2013 to be level (probably a week or two ahead)

I think at this point, Rafa' is probably not thinking about any of these things anymore. I think he's probably more concerned with just being able to play again at a high level. He really shouldn't be thinking about record-chasing now, and likely isn't. He's a pro' and thinks like a pro'...not like us fans.

Click to expand...

I don't think the OP is suggesting that Rafa is thinking about records esp such obscure (geeky) ones as slams count at a given age, or years ranked top 2!
He's just mentioning some stats, the guy seems to have a fetish for them